New Years Celebration: 31 Years Strong!

Join our family and staff at Opera Teatro Bar tonight as we celebrate the arrival of 2013. It promises to be an exciting 31st year for Mata-Garcia Architects and we plan to start it off with a bang. Join us!

Manuel Benavidez Jr. Housing Complex

12.27.12  article in The Monitor regarding Mata-Garcia Architects recent project for the Housing Authority of Starr County.           
Starr County Housing Authority Dedicates New Federally Funded Complex             

RIO GRANDE CITY — Photographs of 4-foot-high waters flooding a neighborhood line the hallway of the new headquarters for the Housing Authority of Starr County in Rio Grande City. The pictures of a July 2007 downpour and the subsequent flash flood that ruined much of the Housing Authority's complex of apartments on Circle Drive are reminders of a trying time that ultimately led to a happy ending. “It dumped about 22 inches of rain within a four-hour period,” said Elmo Moreno, the executive director of the Housing Authority. “The people lost everything. We lost everything.”

The flash flood is what did the complex in. The flood waters were strong enough to move refrigerators and stoves from one side of an apartment to the other. The city condemned the 34-unit housing complex and the residents were left to find somewhere else to live. The silver lining came about a year later. After much prodding from the Housing Authority of Starr County, the federal government promised $5.2 million to build a new complex. Before the flood, the Housing Authority had been trying for years to get money to build better housing because the units flooded every year. “It was an uphill battle; we got the same thing every time: ‘no money, no money, no money,’” Moreno said.

Earlier this month, the Housing Authority had the official dedication ceremony for the 34-unit, gated, 10-acre complex, naming it after someone who had fought the “uphill battle” until funding was secured. Manuel Benavidez Jr., the former president of the board of the Housing Authority, “wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” Moreno said. Even when he was going through chemotherapy treatments, Benavidez would travel to San Antonio to meet with representatives from U.S. Housing and Urban Development. “He was never letting up, and in the end, it paid off,” Moreno said.

Benavidez lost his battle with cancer in 2009, but his legacy will live on in the Manuel Benavidez Jr. Housing Complex on Charco Blanco Road. “I think our family is always amazed at the kind of gratitude the community has shown for his efforts, but more importantly we're just really happy (that) things he saw as ways to help the community have become a reality,” said Benavidez’s daughter, Rose Benavidez, who is now on the Housing Authority board and runs the Starr County Industrial Foundation.

Residents in the complex have to meet financial requirements to live there and pay rent on a sliding scale based on income, Moreno said. The apartments include hook-ups for driers and washers and are more spacious than the ones at the previous complex. More than 200 people applied to live in the 34 units. Residents moved into the new apartments in April.

Annais Gonzalez, a technician at a dialysis clinic, said the apartment allowed her to move out of her mother’s house after a divorce. She lives in a two-bedroom apartment with her 5-year-old daughter. “It’s awesome,” she said of the complex. “It’s perfect, very private. Everyone is super friendly around.” The complex is gated and security also roams the property, Moreno said. “We feel very safe, which is great,” Gonzalez said. Moreno said residents express pride in the community, many by decorating the inside and outside of the building and also participating in neighborhood events. Jesus Mireles has covered the walls of his one-bedroom apartment with photos of his children and grandchildren. Mireles, who is on disability and cannot work, said his family enjoys visiting on the weekends. “It’s a very nice place,” he said.

Gail Burkhardt covers Mission, western Hidalgo County, Starr County and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at gburkhardt@themonitor.com and (956) 683-4462.

Holiday Gathering With Family, Friends, Clients!

Come join us for our annual Christmas Street Party at the corner of Texas Boulevard and 5th Street. We will have plenty of food, drink and blankets! The Weslaco Christmas Parade starts at 6:00 p.m. and should be at our intersection by 6:30 p.m.; afterwards we will walk over to Weslaco City Hall to enjoy the Weslaco High School Jazz Band and the Dean Canty Orchestra. Add another unforgettable night to our string of community events!

WHS Music Halls Update

Detail of lobby ceililing, taken by William Collins, at the Weslaco High School Music Halls project. The general contractor is working to complete the punch list by the end of the month.

Texas Southmost College Architecture Program

Hector Rene Garcia, Mata-Garcia Architects Principal, (left in photo) was among the jurors for the final semester project (five weeks) of Architectural Design Studio I - an urban infill project in downtown Harlingen.  The work presented was innovative, well-researched and demonstrated a promising future for the students and the program. Thank  you to Dr. Murad Abusalim, Assistant Professor; Erick D. Diaz, Assistant Master Technical Instructor and Christopher R. Collins, Assistant Master Technical Instructor, for the invitation to take part in this exciting review session. A few of the students' work is shown below.

Coff- Art Project: Coffee House & Art Gallery

                                                          Coff - Art House Project 

                                                 Coff-Art: Coffee House & Art Gallery

Fine Arts School & Auditorium

                                                     Fine Arts School & Auditorium

Urban Village Project - Mixed-use Development

Urban Village Project

Urban Village Project

Starr County Housing Authority Dedication

A moving ceremony today at the dedication of the Starr County Housing Authority's - Manuel Benavidez, Jr. Housing Complex in Rio Grande City. Tributes to the visionary Benavidez were given by local, state and national dignitaries. Mata-Garcia Architects was honored to have been a part of this important and exciting project.

A former migrant farm worker, Manuel Benavidez, Jr. (1952 - 2009) was driven by his personal trials and experiences to improve the quality of life for his community by providing access to higher education and enhancing local services. Benavidez graduated from Rio Grande City High School and then went on to get a bachelor's degree in bilingual education from Pan American University in 1986. After beginning his career as and educator Benavidez was named Transportation Director for RGCCISD in 1994 and maintained that position for the rest of his professional life.

Benavidez began his advocacy of education by facilitating presentations and taking an active leadership role in local, state and national Migrant Council Conferences. In 1993 Texas Governor Ann Richards appointed him as a founding member of South Texas Community College (now South Texas College) Board of Trustees to represent Starr County. He was elected in May 2000 and re-elected to this position in May of 2006.

Two of Benavidez' visions have become a reality, bringing a state-of-the-art rural technology center for the residents of Starr County and the construction of a new public housing complex - both structures that now bear his name.

Benavidez had a long tenure as an active participant in local and state public education and community service. He served on the board of Workforce Solutions, as President of the Association of Texas Professional Educators in Rio Grande City, as Area V Director for the Texas Association of Pupil Transportation, as President for the South Texas Association for Pupil Transportation and as Board Chair of the Starr County Housing Authority. He also served as the past Chair of the Starr County Democratic Party.  Most importantly, Benavidez was a loving husband, caring father and indulging grandfather.

Speaking at the ceremony were: Rose Benavidez, M.P.A. (daughter), President of the Starr County Industrial Foundation; Hon. Eloy Vera, Starr County Judge; Rodolfo C. Salinas, Deacon - Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Escobares, Texas; Juan Garcia, Board Chair of the Housing Authority of Starr County; Hon. Ruben Villarreal, Mayor of Rio Grande City; David G. Pohler, Public Housing Division Director for Housing and Urban Development, San Antonio, Texas; and a representative of Hon. Henry Cuellar, U.S. Congressman.

WHS Music Halls: All Lit Up!

Detail: Nighttime View of Music Halls along Panther Drive.

The project is nearing completion with punch-list items being 

worked-on during the Christmas Holidays.

Texas Society of Architects Convention: Day Three

Lean Architecture: Excellence in Project Delivery. presented by Michael F. Czap, AIA. In this session, Czap stated that lean architecture is the on-going process of rethinking architectural methodology by applying "Lean" principles to every aspect of our practice. In a fast-paced program Czap introduced us to techniques of process management with three goals for application to architectural management, documentation and technology.

Scoping Provisions of the New 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards: presented by Gaila Barnett and George Ferrie.  The Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) came into effect in March of 2012 with several key differences from the 1994 TAS. Barnett and Ferrie anaylized the differences and explored the ways scoping pertains to all TAS sections, how to meet the necessary requirements, the differences in implementing the TAS in a new building and an existing building, and the notable exceptions to the TAS.  

Measure Twice and Cut Once - A Fresh Approach to Integrated Project Delivery: presented  by Richard Markel, AIA and David Weinberg, AIA.  Integrated Project Delivery is an innovation emerging as the preferred way to organize project teams to achieve more efficient and better-planned projects.  IPD is a team-centric approach that increases value to the owner by leveraging the knowledge, experience and talent of all team members to improve quality, eliminate waste and reduce costs with less risks.

Leadership Effectiveness and Creative Problem Solving: presented by Peter A DeLisle, Phd. This highly interactive seminar addressed the issues of leadership effectiveness and decision making.  We reviewed the importance of critical self-reflection and awareness of the impact of a leader's behavior on people. Processes were examined through the use of inventory and dialogue on cognitive problem-solving. 

The Influence of 21st Century Education Principles on K-12 School Facility Design: presented by Michael B. Baker, AIA.  The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is the largest geographical K-12 school district in the world. DoDEA recently changed to 21st Century Education Specifications. This change has influenced the architecture of DoDEA school facilities worldwide.  This session focused on how 21st Century Education Principles have changed the school environment, both inside and out.

Texas Society of Architects Convention: Day Two

Social Media - Advanced Tactics:  presented by Andrew Hawkins, AIA. In this session, Hawkins presented an advanced look at strategies and techniques with which to take our social media presence to the next level.  We learned tips for greater interaction, how to increase our visibility, how to discuss metrics in a manner that is understandable, and managing our social media identity.

The High Line and Community - Transforming Manhattan's West End: presented by Robert Hammond, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Friends of the High Line. A public park atop an elevated rail line on Manhattan's West Side, the High Line is among the most innovative urban reclamation projects. Hammond, a native of San Antonio, talked about the High Line's design, now celebrated as a model for creatively designed, socially vibrant, and ecologically sound public space. 

 

                                     The Belo Center - The Lawrence Group Architects

    

                                   Student Activity Center - Overland Partners Architects

What's New at The University of Texas at Austin? The Belo Center for New Media, designed by Lawrence Group Architects, is a high-tech "gateway" building on the west side of the campus and is the new home for the College of Communication's Journalism and Advertising departments, as well as KUT Radio. On the East Mall side of campus, the new Student Activity Center by Overland Partners brings a whole new scale and aesthetic to its neighborhood. Both buildings, although very different, illustrate the evolution of design within the Master Plan tenets.  

Texas Society of Architects Convention: Day One

The New Accessibility Standards:  presented by Jeromy Murphy, AIA, American Construction Investigations. This session covered the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards and how they are more restrictive in some areas but provide more latitude for designers to comply. The program identified the major differences between the old standards and the new standards, beginning with the applicability of the law and continuing with the major technical changes and special exceptions.

Influencing the Quality of Life:  presented by Thomas Hayne Upchurch, AIA and Elizabeth Price, AIA.  The program was about small Texas towns, in this case Brenham, and how architects have unique capabilities and vision for improving communities. By getting involved and doing good work, concepts and ideas develop from small projects to big improvements. In Brenham, Upchurch and Price went about cleaning up a public alley, which led to a TEA-21 public grant and greater downtown improvements and development.

influence. Water. Greenroofs. Resilience. presented by Joe Douglas Webb, AIA. Mr. Webb stated that while there are no certified "Living Buildings" in Houston currently, an office building designed by his firm, Webb Architects, serves as a local prototype that exemplifies tools and technologies that let us begin to encroach on strategies required in the Living Building Challenge.  As a result, architects influence a clients approach to development and the environment.

Living in the Landscape: Design that Embraces Nature. presented by Gary Furman, FAIA; Mell Lawrence, FAIA; Kevin Alter, Assoc. AIA.  How have Austin architects drawn powerful design character from the beauty and ecology of the Texas Hill Country? How have they employed the climate, the topography and native materials of the region to create an authentic ethos of this memorable place? The three architects discussed ways in which architecture and the natural environment can work together in symbiotic harmony. 

Design in Austin, It's About the Quality of Life: presented by Larry Speck, FAIA; Arthur Anderson, AIA; Dick Clark, AIA and Juan Miro, FAIA. The four architects, who have made significant contributions to the creation of many of most memorable and endearing parts of the city, spoke about how design generates amenity, interaction and a celebration of everyday living.

Tuesday Talks: Green Building Design with CMU

Our Tuesday Talk this week was sponsored By: Trenwyth, An OldCastle Architectural Brand   In this one hour seminar we reviewed the sustainable attributes of concrete masonry units (CMU) and discussed how CMU's contribute toward a certified LEED project including improving the indoor environmental quality, improving energy performance through thermal mass and passive solar design and material recyclability and reuse. We will also looked at the safety and health aspects of concrete masonry such as fire and acoustics. The Learning Objectives covered were: 1. Identifying concrete masonry’s inherently sustainable attributes including recycled content and recyclability.  2. Describing how concrete masonry helps improve indoor air quality through the prevention of mold growth and indoor environmental quality through improved thermal comfort.  3. Identifying the role concrete masonry plays in the LEED rating system and the credits it may contribute toward both directly and indirectly.  4. Describing how concrete masonry contributes toward improved fire safety in any project.

Day of Service 2012

Come join our MGa team for the first annual Day of Service, a day in which parents, teachers, students and advocates (architects) from around the world will work to make our schools healthier, more sustainable places to learn.  MGer’s will be out in force in the San Benito, Weslaco, McAllen and PSJA areas. See you there!

CEFPI - Day Two

Hector Rene Garcia, Mata-Garcia Architects principal, is attending the Certified Educational Facilities Planners International (CEFP I) World Congress on Educational Environments in San Antonio, Texas this week.  The following are summaries of the sessions he attended.

The Best School Ever Made: Beth Hebert, former principal at Crow Island School, Winnetka Public Schools. Hebert reviewed her experience at Crow Island School and how the look and feel of a school matters to students and is deeply connected to their attitudes, behavior and learning. Having toured this school a few years ago, I know first hand what a classroom and a school environment can accomplish. Hebert explored the connection between specific features of classroom and school design that impact student learning beginning with lessons learned from Crow Island School - a national historic landmark and now almost 75 years old. The session also covered (a.) Understanding the importance of collaborative conversation between architects and educators, (b.) Identifying specific design features that enhance student learning, (c.) Exploring how the design of space relates to student attitudes, behaviors and learning, and (d.) Learning specific strategies for engaging students in the design process.

Go Outside to Learn: The Value of Outdoor Learning Environments: Robing R. Randall, ED lab INC. Randall stated that "When present in nature, all senses are stimulated," which is the optimum state of learning, blurring the boundaries between academic learning and creative curiosity. As a mini-ecosystem, the "outdoor classroom" fosters the use of systems thinking and emphasizes the interconnectedness. Through exposure to the intricate web of life, students come to understand that complex natural and societal systems often require holistic rather than linear solutions. In seeking a holistic understanding, outdoor learning lends itself to inter-disciplinary studies employing multiple academic disciplines. Global environmental issues are reflected in microcosm and often lead to service learning projects that emphasize social responsibility. Randall reviewed how she (a.) Uses evidenced based design research to document the value of outdoor learning, (b.) Defines the characteristics and stimuli of the outdoor learning environment, (c.) Dissects examples of projects that support spontaneous and organized learning, and (d.) Discusses future implications to curriculum delivery and environmental responsibility.

Building as a Teaching Tool: Connecting, Curriculum, Culture and the Physical Environment: Stephanie Barr, Institute for the Built Environment, Colorado State University and Craig Schiller, Build to Teach Consulting LLC.  This seminar asked the question "How can we design and operate schools which not only save energy, resources and money, but also actively engage and educate students in sustainability? Taking green schools beyond a physical shell, to an active, dynamic green learning environment requires more than just  visible green building features. A holistic approach, driven by both educators and building professionals, is needed to integrate sustainability into building design, curriculum, organizational culture and an community at large. Only through this holistic integration is a building truly a teaching tool. Utilizing case studies and recent research, Barr and Schiller defined principles, provided a framework and presented tools for creating a school building that teaches. Also covered were (a.) Understanding the necessity of a whole-school approach and integrating sustainability into educational programs, organizational culture and facility design to create a building that successfully teaches, (b.) Defining common design principles and building components which make successful teaching tools and the methods used to connect building features to learning opportunities, (c.) Exploring "best-case" examples of how school buildings across the country are being used to teach sustainability and (d.) Providing hands-on experience planning a holistic building that teaches.

CEFPI - Day One

Hector Rene Garcia, Mata-Garcia Architects principal, is attending the Certified Educational Facilities Planners International (CEFP I) World Congress on Educational Environments in San Antonio, Texas this week.  The following are summaries of the sessions he attended.

Keynote Speaker:  Jason Ryan Dorsey, "The Gen Y Guy" kicked-off the day with his highly energized talk "Crossing the Generational Divide: Leveraging the Power of Generations for  your Strategic Advantage. Dorsey noted that for the first time in world history, four different generations are working side by side, with a fifth generation on its way! He went on to state that each generation brings a different perspective, strengths and priorities to the workplace. While it can be a frustrating experience - leaving a voice-mail and getting a text as a reply - can be a strategic opportunity depending on how one responds. Dorsey revealed each generation's workplace mindset and followed up with strategies that drive results across generations.

Connecting the Dots - The New Ecosystem of Pedagogy, Technology and Space: Lennie Scott-Webber, PhD.  The session dealt with a behavioral conditioned response method in terms of teaching and learning in a classroom setting - stand and deliver / sit and listen. It was stated that this pedagogical approach no longer works. The pedagogy, technology and space need to be intentionally developed and purposefully integrated in order to deliver on the demand for 21st century learning skills by students, parents and corporations alike. Scott-Webber's research has led her to understand this paradigm shift and she shared the drivers for change, design principles and methods to successfully deliver on this need.

Connecting Students, Creating Futures at Central Campus: James Britt and Elizabeth Erbes of RDG Planning & Design and Bill Good and Julie Rosin of Des Moines Public Schools.  A 1916 Model T factory in downtown Des Moines, Iowa has been retooled from building cars to building futures. The Central Campus, a 400,000 square foot high-rise buidling has been continuously evolving to accommodate a unique variety of project based learning programs for students of all ages. Fourth graders immerse themselves in the 2012 presidential campaign, while high school seniors in Marine Biology raise jelly-fish; downtown office employees exercise in the wellness center and enjoy lunch in the student-run Campus Cafe of the Culinary Arts program. Unique spaces and programs have become the catalyst for connection and creation. (a.) We learned about the diverse culture and climate created to serve multi-age learners through project-based programming in a century-old building. (b.) The team showed how to effectively engage an underutilized, existing facility to support and grow a vibrant, connected learning environment. (c.) Rosin and Erbes gave examples of the positive impact of unique programming and high-performance space on students, faculty and community members. In closing, the group helped us understand the benefits of a strong vision and quality management to create dynamic learning spaces for a diverse community.

Des Moines Central Campus serves students from 29 districts and 57 schools, and was originally a 1918 a Ford car factory that has been converted in recent years to a high-efficiency, regional, K-12 school. The renovations have included the installation of double-pane glazed windows in order to increase the availability of natural light and reduce the need for artificial lighting. High-efficiency water source heat pumps also were installed in the school, and reduce the need for steam heating. Des Moines Central Campus has reduced its energy consumption by 28 percent compared to a 2008 baseline, and has reduced its water consumption by 64 percent compared to a 2009 baseline. In this urban setting, students use sustainability concepts to learn green job skills.  Home building students use recycled materials to turn old bleachers into hardwood flooring. The aviation program works with the Iowa congressional district to salvage old jets and helicopters as teaching tools.  A welding program recycled over 43,000 pounds of scrap metal in 2011. The teacher academy is working toward paperless operations with electronic portfolios. The culinary arts program installed a grow cart to cultivate herbs and salad greens, and their new ENERGY STAR dishwasher reduces energy consumption.  Animal science students use recycled materials to create wildlife habitat sculptures.  Design students study sustainability principles and devise constructions that incorporate LEED criteria. Horticulture students offer their landscaping services throughout the campus. Technology students’ use of cloud computing reduces energy consumption by over a third. Central Campus’ Iowa Energy and Sustainability Academy is a two-year program that teaches sustainability, green technologies, renewable energy, and conservation. The school nurtures partnerships with University of Northern Iowa, Siemens, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Energy Department.

Vision to Reality, through an Integral Approach to School Design: Daniel Plunkett and Matin Coleman - Kilworth Studio Ltd.  These Brits presented their take on non-traditional schools with "unique engagement strategies." The project presented was the The Isle of Portland Aldridge Academy.

Alfresco Weslaco - Tonight!

Our MG'ers will be out in force at the monthly Alfresco Weslaco -  Jazz on the Street! Amazing artists, food, and music - every sense will be energized. Hope to see you there!

Engage, Educate & Recycle, K-12 Sustainability Solutions 
September 12, 2012,  1:00 PM CDT

Imagine a world where schools serve as a model of sustainability for their communities, teach their students to use natural resources responsibly, and empower them with the skills to solve global environmental problems. Many schools across the country are already blazing the trail in going green and finding it not as difficult as they anticipated. Join Waste Management's Carrie Becker, Keep America Beautiful (KAB)'s Kelly Dennings and Spring ISD's C.G. Cezeaux as they discuss environmental trends and implications for K-12 schools, share best practices from exemplary schools and give easy, practical solutions to move your school along its sustainability journey.

Presented by  School Planning & Management’s WEBINARS FOR EDUCATION. 

Moderator:   Deb Moore, Executive Editor/Publisher, School Planning & Management 

Featured Speakers: 

Carrie Becker, Director of Education Sales, Waste Management; 

Kelly Dennings,  Director of Recycling Programs and Services, Keep America Beautiful; C.G. Cezeaux  Director of Operations, Spring Independent School District, Houston, TX.

CineSol Film Festival is a showcase festival that makes its way across the Rio Grande Valley, celebrating achievement in the art of film-making. CineSol is dedicated to furthering the art, craft and business of screenwriters and filmmakers and recognizing their artistic contributions. CineSol supports the work of aspiring and established filmmakers by enhancing public awareness of their artistic endeavors and by encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community alliances. Mata-Garcia Architects' own Mario Garza, Jr. is on the festivals' board and several M-Gers will be on-hand to view the films. Join us! (Saturday/Sunday, September 8th/9th in Harlingen and Saturday/Sunday, September 15th/16th in Edinburg.)

Lecture Series: Gil Penalosa of 8-80

LRGV-AIA reports that: Gil Peñalosa, executive director of the Canadian non-profit 8-80 and internationally renowned city advisor and active public spaces advocate, will speak to the Brownsville community August 28 and 30 as part of the Building a Vibrant Brownsville lecture series. Mr. Penalosa will share his knowledge and experience in designing parks, streets, and open spaces to foster improved health, economic development, and a greener environment. 

Mr. Peñalosa, the third speaker of the Building a Vibrant Brownsville series, will give a special presentation for the Spanish-speaking community on August 28 at the Camille Playhouse at 5:30 p.m. His keynote address (English) is scheduled for August 30 at the Science, Engineering and Technology Building on the UTB and TSC campus at 7:00 p.m.  Both lectures are free and open to the general public.  

In Edinburg: Mr. Peñalosa's main focus regards economic development and community health initiative for local communities and is an advocate for people-friendly development of cities and safety.  Peñalosa will speak at on August 29, 2012: 1. Edinburg Summit - Wednesday, August 29, 2012, 3:00 p.m, open to the general public., Edinburg City Hall, Council Chamber, 415 W. University Drive, Edinburg, Texas  2. Community Banquet: 5:30 registration, 6:00 p.m. dinner. $20, Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District, Administrative Boardroom, 2nd Floor, 411 N. 8th St,. Edinburg, Texas.  For more information & banquet tickets, please contact Ann Millard at (956) 668-6320 or Thalia Morin at (956)-322-1940 thaliamorin@gmail.com

MG'er Christopher R. Collins, Architect, has been selected to teach two architecture courses at Texas Southmost College School of Architecture. Chris will teach History of Architecture I and II.  (The course surveys painting, sculpture, architecture and the minor arts from pre-historic times to present with emphasis on the relationship of culture, geography, environment and materials to the method of construction.) and Architectural Technology I and II. (This course introduces students to construction materials, methods, and their applications with an emphasis on common building materials: wood, masonry, concrete and metals. Students study building envelope performance and issues of sustainability as well as the mechanical and electrical systems and their relationship to the structural system.) Chris will remain with Mata-Garcia Architects and head our Brownsville office and public relations. Congratulations!

Parish Hall

The Diocese of Brownsville has given approval for Mata-Garcia Architects LLP to commence work on the Construction Document Phase for the San Cristobal Magallanes y Companeros Parish Hall. The Master Plan, at Sharyland Plantation, calls for a parish hall (Phase 1), a parish church (Phase 2), a chapel/columbarium (Phase 3) and a parish school/rectory (Phase 4). We look forward to working with Father Ignacio and his Parish Council on this long awaited project. Construction is due to start November 2012.  

The west elevation uses brick detailing from the historical Oblate Novitiate at La Lomita on the entry portal and wainscot. Cementitious panels, a continuous clerestory and metal tube arches complete the contempory twist on the historical elements.

The Master Plan uses a courtyard to provide a communal space for the complex; the parish church (left), the parish school/office/store (center) and parish hall (right). The parish rectory is at the lower right corner of the property.Parking will be located off of Santa Ingracia Road.

Interior and exterior sketches of the proposed parish hall.